February 24, 2105--Oscars
I'll try to restrain myself from being too bitchy. Though bitchy is an Academy Awards reflex. Yes, the show Sunday night seemed overlong, running at least a half hour beyond its scheduled time slot. To bitchy me, it seemed to drag from the very beginning. Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser) brought his patented Broadway snark to Hollywood where it went down, as we used to say, like a lead balloon. But here I am being bitchy.
His first line was his best of the night--"Tonight we honor Hollywood's best and whitest--sorry, brightest."
He was referring of course to what many consider a slight to Hollywood's African-American film community. Specifically, though Selma was nominated among seven others for Best Picture, it's star, David Oyelowo, and director, Ava DuVernay, were not nominated. Clear evidence, it was claimed, that we may have a President of color but racism and sexism is still pervasive in the film industry.
Feelings were not assuaged by Selma's theme song, "Glory," winning Oscars for its two African-American songwriters, Common and John Legend. Even during slavery and Jim Crow days, it was implied, black folks were noted to be good at dancing and singing.
As objectively as possible, looking at the specifics of the nominees and award winners, did David Oyelowo, who portrayed Martin Luther King, really qualify as one of only five nominated for best actor? The others were Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Benedict Cumberbatch (Imitation Game), and eventual winner, Eddie Redmayne for Theory of Everything?
I think not.
On the other hand, it would be easy to see Ava DuVernay justifiably feeling excluded. As, of course could Clint Eastwood, director of the hugely successful, American Sniper. He might cite political bias.
The five actual nominees were Wes Anderson (Budapest Hotel), Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Morten Tyldum (Imitation Game), and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the winner for Birdman.
DuVernay belongs in that company. Selma, far from a great movie, is as well directed as two other not-great films--Imitation Game and Theory of Everything.
But then again, Al Gore really won the presidency in 2000. And as John Legend reminded us during Red Carpet time, the march in Selma 50 years ago was about voting, including when it yields votes one does not like. When that happens, he said, it is one's responsibility to not complain but work harder.
His first line was his best of the night--"Tonight we honor Hollywood's best and whitest--sorry, brightest."
He was referring of course to what many consider a slight to Hollywood's African-American film community. Specifically, though Selma was nominated among seven others for Best Picture, it's star, David Oyelowo, and director, Ava DuVernay, were not nominated. Clear evidence, it was claimed, that we may have a President of color but racism and sexism is still pervasive in the film industry.
Feelings were not assuaged by Selma's theme song, "Glory," winning Oscars for its two African-American songwriters, Common and John Legend. Even during slavery and Jim Crow days, it was implied, black folks were noted to be good at dancing and singing.
As objectively as possible, looking at the specifics of the nominees and award winners, did David Oyelowo, who portrayed Martin Luther King, really qualify as one of only five nominated for best actor? The others were Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Benedict Cumberbatch (Imitation Game), and eventual winner, Eddie Redmayne for Theory of Everything?
I think not.
On the other hand, it would be easy to see Ava DuVernay justifiably feeling excluded. As, of course could Clint Eastwood, director of the hugely successful, American Sniper. He might cite political bias.
The five actual nominees were Wes Anderson (Budapest Hotel), Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Morten Tyldum (Imitation Game), and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the winner for Birdman.
DuVernay belongs in that company. Selma, far from a great movie, is as well directed as two other not-great films--Imitation Game and Theory of Everything.
But then again, Al Gore really won the presidency in 2000. And as John Legend reminded us during Red Carpet time, the march in Selma 50 years ago was about voting, including when it yields votes one does not like. When that happens, he said, it is one's responsibility to not complain but work harder.
Labels: Academy Awards, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, American Sniper, Ava DuVernay, Best Actor, Best Picture, Birdman, Boyhood, David Oyelowo, Oscars, Selma, Theory of Everything
posted by Steven Zwerling at
5:55 AM
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